FREE Pre-Release Song from Our New Album – Get it Now!

Zac HicksConvergence of Old and New in Worship, History of Worship and Church Music, Hymns Movement News & Reviews, Personal Stories & Testimonies, Songwriting, Worship Theology & Thought3 Comments

FREE PRE-RELEASE SONG
FROM WITHOUT OUR AID (9/13/11)

Hello, Readership.  In an effort to drum up support for our new album, Without Our Aid, we’re asking you to pass this link along to anyone and everyone you know (tweet it, FB it, email it).  We’re giving away one of our best songs on the album, “Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus,” absolutely free…we just ask that you tell others about it. 

“Hail” is probably the best all-in-one representation of the musical, philosophical, and theological aim of the Without Our Aid.  It has a live feel, energetic rhythm, great drumming, layered electrics, modern worship-styled vocal melodies, and unbeatable lyrics (I can brag, because I didn’t write them). 

GO GET THE SONG HERE (this link will only be available until Tuesday, September 13, so get it while you can!). 

Song Reflection: “Angels from the Realms of Glory”

Zac HicksConvergence of Old and New in Worship, History of Worship and Church Music, Personal Stories & Testimonies, Worship Theology & ThoughtLeave a Comment

In preparation for the release of our album, Without Our Aid, on September 13, 2011, we’ve begun a series of posts reflecting on the hymns incorporated into the project.  For those who worship in more liturgically-oriented contexts, you’re probably familiar with the fact that the Christian “new year” doesn’t line up with our calendar’s new year.  Our new year happens a month earlier than January 1, when we begin the season of Advent.  Advent is a season of hope, fostering … Read More

Song Reflection: “All People That on Earth Do Dwell”

Zac HicksHistory of Worship and Church Music, Personal Stories & Testimonies, Worship Resources, Worship Theology & ThoughtLeave a Comment

In preparation for the release of our album, Without Our Aid, on September 13, 2011, we’re beginning a series of posts reflecting on the hymns incorporated into the project.  Many do not realize that the Protestant Reformation was just as much about worship as it was about doctrine.  In fact, reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin would have seen little division between the former and the latter.  Luther championed three emphases in particular, which all serve the goal of … Read More

Theology vs. Pragmatism: The Foundational Difference Between Worship Discussions Then and Now

Zac HicksHistory of Worship and Church Music, Worship Theology & Thought3 Comments

Church history knows no division between theology and worship.  As worship became “institutionalized” in the Church in the Middle Ages, though perhaps excessively mystical, leaders of and reflectors on worship did so through an intensely biblical-theological grid.  The writings and leadership of church music pioneer Hildegaard von Bingen attest to this. 

Ten New Albums Indicative of Positive Shifts in Modern Worship

Zac HicksConvergence of Old and New in Worship, History of Worship and Church Music, Hymns Movement News & Reviews, Worship Theology & Thought3 Comments

When I began cataloguing the growth of the hymns movement several years ago, I had no idea that its growth would be this rapid.  Even using just one metric for growth and expansion—the production of albums—the number of artists and churches setting old hymn-texts to new music is much greater than it was five years ago. 

A Documentary Every Modern Worship Leader Should See

Zac HicksConvergence of Old and New in Worship, History of Worship and Church Music, Worship Theology & Thought3 Comments

In days of old, church music leaders studied in seminaries and colleges, receiving degrees like Master of Church Music (MCM) and Master of Sacred Music (MSM).  Part of their curriculum was a thorough study of music history, with particular attention to the history of the music which shaped their field of traditional church music.

Pentecost Songs: The Way Forward Continues to be the Way Back

Zac HicksHistory of Worship and Church Music, Hymns Movement News & Reviews, Worship Resources, Worship Theology & Thought3 Comments

The rootlessness of contemporary Christianity is starved for remembrance, but the vacuum of historical connectivity has finally turned on.  And the sucking sound is getting louder and louder. For years now, Cardiphonia has been on the leading edge of liturgical renewal in evangelicalism.  Before it was “cool” to talk about liturgy and historic practices in Christian worship, Cardiphonia was carving its path in this direction on the world wide web.  Its mastermind, Bruce Benedict, I have watched from afar in … Read More

Incorporating Chant into Worship (Even Modern Worship): A Primer

Zac HicksHistory of Worship and Church Music, Worship Style5 Comments

These days, it’s hip to do “old stuff” in worship.  The late Robert Webber prophesied that this would happen; there is indeed a resurgence of interest in incorporating elements of historic and ancient Christian worship into our modern-day expression.  This is part of why the rehymn movement is gaining popularity.  While this is encouraging, we do not want to run the risk of doing old things simply because they’re cool.  We want to do them for much more important, lasting reasons.  We incorporate tradition into modern worship precisely that we might express ourselves not only as the modern church but as the historic church.  Part of being the “one holy, catholic church” involves worshiping like we truly are catholic (i.e. universal).  This universality includes not only space—incorporating elements of worship from our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world—but time.  Christians in Ghana truly are my brothers and sisters.  But the same can be said for fourth-century Christians in Mesopotamia.